Itogon, Benguet – The Commission on Election (Comelec) First Division dismissed the petition to disqualify Benguet Caretaker Eric Go Yap in the 2022 elections due to lack of evidence.
According to Presiding Commissioner Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, as reported by Mt. Province Broadcasting Corporation, evidence presented to disqualify Yap in his bid to run for congressman is “insufficient”.
The Comelec pointed out that petitioners failed to present sufficient evidence to prove their allegations that questioned Yap’s residency in Itogon, Benguet and the fact that he is not a Filipino citizen.
The agency’s perusal of the evidence shows that there is not enough proof to say that Yap did not follow the one-year residency requirement before he filed his candidacy.
It is also stated in the Comelec decision that Yap is a resident of Loakan, Itogon based on the certification issued by the Barangay Captain Andres Cuyan.
In December 2021, Itogon Municipal Trial Court also junked a petition that seeks to remove Yap’s name from the list of permanent voters in said municipality.
Meanwhile, Yap welcomed the Comelec decision on the disqualification case lodged against him, saying it a “victory for democracy”.
Eric Yap is currently serving as legislative caretaker of Benguet and Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) party-list Representative.
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